Agricultural row unit systems, methods, and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A row unit for an agricultural planter having features for releasably operably coupling a seed meter of the row unit to a seed deposition apparatus of the row unit such as a seed conveyor, seed tube or the like. Apparatus are provided for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the seed deposition apparatus. Apparatus are provided for biasing the seed deposition apparatus into operative engagement with the seed meter. The row unit includes features such as latches for releasably operably coupling the row unit to crop input and vacuum supply lines. Apparatus are provided for tipping a seed meter of the hopper for disengagement from the crop input and vacuum supply lines. Systems are provided for supplying vacuum and crop inputs to the seed meter via the releasably engageable apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, growers of corn and other crops have come to recognizethe importance of planting individual seeds at the appropriate spacing.Due to the time constraints caused by field conditions and weather,modern row units have been developed that include features which improveseed singulation and spacing even at higher speeds. However, the timerequired to set up these features for planting can delay plantingoperations, as can errors in planter setup which interfere withoperation. Thus, there is a need for a row unit having improved setupfeatures allowing for more efficient and effective configuration of therow unit prior to planting operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a left side elevation view of an embodiment of anagricultural row unit in an operating position.

FIG. 1B is a left side elevation view of the agricultural row unit ofFIG. 1A in a partially disassembled position.

FIG. 1C is an enlarged partial left side elevation view of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is a right side elevation view of the agricultural row unit ofFIG. 1A in the operating position.

FIG. 2B is a right side elevation view of the agricultural row unit ofFIG. 2A in the partially disassembled position.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged partial right side elevation view of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG.1A in the operating position.

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG.3A in the partially disassembled position.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged partial rear perspective view of the agriculturalrow unit of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG.1A in the operating position.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG.4A in the partially disassembled position.

FIG. 4C is an enlarged partial front perspective view of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 1Ain the operating position.

FIG. 6A is a left side elevation view showing a portion of an embodimentof a seed conveyor and an embodiment of a seed meter in a firstpartially disengaged position corresponding to a first partiallydisassembled position of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6B is a left side elevation view of the seed conveyor and seedmeter of FIG. 6A in a second partially disengaged position correspondingto a second partially disassembled position of the agricultural row unitof FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7A is a right side elevation view of the seed conveyor and seedmeter of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is a right side elevation view of the seed conveyor and seedmeter of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the seed conveyor and seed meter ofFIG. 6B.

FIG. 9 is an upward perspective view of the seed conveyor and seed meterof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 10A is a view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 1A along thesection 10-10 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged detailed view of the circled portion of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a planter 10.

FIG. 12A is a partial right side elevation view of another embodiment ofan agricultural row unit including a seed tube.

FIG. 12B is a left side elevation view of another embodiment of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a partial right side elevation view the agricultural rowunit of FIG. 12A in a partially disassembled position.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a planter 10including a separable electrical connector.

FIG. 14 is a view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 1A along thesection 10-10 of FIG. 5, in which a spring is replaced with anembodiment of a spring mount.

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of the spring mount of FIG. 14 in adeflected position.

FIG. 15B is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a springmount in a deflected position.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1Aillustrates an agricultural implement, e.g., a planter, comprising atoolbar 8 to which multiple row units 100 are mounted in transverselyspaced relation. Each row unit 100 is preferably mounted to the toolbar8 by a parallel arm arrangement 14 including upper and lower parallelarm pairs 15-1,15-2, respectively, such that the row unit is permittedto translate vertically with respect to the toolbar. The row unit 100preferably includes a frame 120 including a forward mounting post 128and a rearward mounting post 122. The upper and lower parallel arm pairs15-1,15-2 are preferably pivotally mounted at a rearward end to theforward mounting post 128. The row unit 100 preferably includes anopening disc assembly 130 including two angled discs rollingly mountedto a shank 165 (FIG. 10A) of the frame 120 and disposed to open av-shaped trench in the soil as the row unit traverses a field. A knife170 (FIG. 10A) is preferably removably mounted to the shank 165. Theknife 170 is configured to compress and shape the bottom of the furrowopened by the opening disc assembly 130. A guard 104 is preferablymounted to the row unit frame 120 via a guard support 102 mounted to therow unit frame. The guard 104 is preferably configured to prevent soiland debris from passing between the opening discs of the opening discassembly 130. The row unit 100 preferably includes a gauge wheelassembly 140 including two gauge wheels 142 (FIG. 5) pivotally mountedto the frame 120 and disposed to roll along the surface of the soil,thus limiting the depth of the trench opened by the opening discassembly 130. A downforce actuator 12 is preferably pivotally mounted tothe toolbar 8 at a first end and at a second end to the parallel armarrangement 14. The downforce actuator is preferably configured toimpose a controlled downforce on the row unit 100 such that full trenchdepth is maintained. A closing wheel assembly 190 comprising two closingwheels is preferably pivotally coupled to the frame 120 and disposed tomove displaced soil back into the trench.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1A, seeds are communicated from a hopper 110to a seed meter 400 preferably configured to singulate the suppliedseeds. The meter 400 is preferably a vacuum-type meter such as thatdisclosed in Applicant's co-pending international patent application no.PCT/US2012/030192 (Pub. No. WO/2012/129442), the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A vacuum isimposed within the meter 400 by movement of air through a vacuum line420 in fluid communication with the meter.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 3C, the hopper 110 is preferably pivotallymounted to the frame 120. The hopper 110 preferably includes a seedstorage bin 112 and left and right attachment arms 114-1,114-2,respectively. The left and right attachment arms 114-1,114-2 arepreferably releasably pivotally coupled to left and right pivot124-1,124-2, respectively. The pivots 124 are preferably mounted to therearward mounting post 122. Each pivot 124 preferably includes a plasticcylinder partially engaged by a semi-circular surface of the associatedattachment arm 114.

The meter 400 is preferably removably mounted to the hopper 110. Inoperation, the seed meter 400 preferably deposits the supplied seedsinto a seed conveyor 500 such as that disclosed in Applicant'sco-pending international patent application no. PCT/US2012/57327, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. The seed conveyor 500 is preferably removably mounted to theframe 120 and preferably conveys seeds deposited by the meter 400 to alower end of the conveyor and deposits the seeds into the trench. Asdiscussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 12A-12C, in someembodiments the seed conveyor 500 is replaced with a seed tube 800. Insuch embodiments, seeds deposited by the meter 400 fall through the seedtube 800 into the trench.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the seed conveyor 500 is preferably positioned inan opening between opposing sidewalls 123 of the row unit frame 120. Theseed conveyor 500 preferably includes left and right protrusions 515which partially constrain the position of the seed conveyor 500 bycontacting a bracket 167 mounted to the shank 165 at a forward end andextending rearward to partially enclose the seed conveyor.

As discussed in detail elsewhere herein, as the hopper 110 is rotatedrearward (clockwise on the view of FIG. 1B) about the pivots 124, themeter 400 rotates with the hopper 110 and disengages from the seedconveyor 500. Likewise, as the hopper 110 is rotated forward(counter-clockwise on the view of FIG. 1B) about the pivots 124, themeter 400 rotates with the hopper 110 and engages the seed conveyor 500.

Supply Coupler Assembly

Turning to FIGS. 3C and 4C, a supply coupler assembly 200 is preferablymounted to the frame 120. The supply coupler assembly 200 preferablyincludes a coupler frame 230, which is preferably mounted to an upperend of the forward mounting post 128. Referring to FIG. 4C, a vacuumconduit 210 and a seed supply conduit 220 are preferably mounted to aforward side of the coupler frame 230 such that the vacuum and seedsupply conduits extend forward from the coupler frame. Referring to FIG.3C, a rearward opening in the vacuum conduit 210 is circumferentiallysurrounded by a seal 231. Referring to FIG. 4C, as the hopper 110 isrotated forward (clockwise on the view of FIG. 2C) about the pivots 124to the operating position (i.e., that illustrated in FIG. 2A), a plate118-1 mounted to the hopper 110 preferably contacts the seal 231. Theplate 118-1 preferably includes an aperture in fluid communication withthe vacuum line 420. Thus in the operating position, the plate 118-1 andthe seal 231 cooperate to releasably place the vacuum conduit 210 influid communication with the vacuum line 420.

Referring again to FIG. 3C, a rearward opening in the seed supplyconduit 220 is circumferentially surrounded by a seal 232. Referring toFIG. 4C, as the seed hopper 110 is rotated forward to the operatingposition, a plate 118-2 mounted to the hopper 110 preferably contactsthe seal 232. The plate 118-2 preferably includes an aperture in fluidcommunication with a seed storage bin 112 of the hopper 110. Thus in theoperating position, the plate 118-2 and the seal 232 cooperate toreleasably place the seed supply conduit 220 in fluid communication withthe interior or the seed storage bin 112.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a latch 300 preferably releasably latches thehopper 110 to the coupler assembly 200. The latch 300 is preferably apush-to-close latch such as model no. R4-20-20-501-10 available fromSouthco in Concordville, Pa. As the hopper 110 is rotated toward theoperating position, a hook 116 preferably enters a slot 236 (FIG. 3C)formed in the coupler frame 230. When the hopper 110 is in the operatingposition, the latch 300 preferably engages the hook 116 such that thehopper 110 is latched in the operating position. When the latch 300 isengaged, the seals 131,132 are preferably compressed between the plates118-1,118-2, respectively and the coupler frame 230. When the latch 300is released, e.g., by manipulation of lever 310 (FIG. 5), the hopper 110is allowed to tip rearwardly such that the seals 131,132 separate fromthe plates 118-1,118-2.

Turning to FIG. 11, the supply coupler assembly 200 is illustratedschematically on a planter 10 having multiple row units 100 transverselyspaced along the toolbar 8. Each seed supply conduit 220 is preferablyin fluid communication with a bulk seed hopper 730 via a seed supplyline 712. The bulk seed hopper 730 is preferably supported by thetoolbar 8. The bulk seed hopper 730 is preferably configured topneumatically supply seed (e.g., using a blower and manifold asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,722) to each hopper 110. Each vacuumconduit 210 is preferably in fluid communication with a vacuum source720 (e.g., an impeller-driven vacuum pump) via a vacuum line 711.

In some embodiments of the planter 10, the bulk seed hopper 730 isomitted such that the individual hoppers 110 are refilled manually.Additionally, even when a bulk seed hopper 730 is included, the operatoris preferably able to configure the system such that the bulk seedhopper is not used. In such embodiments and configurations, the seedsupply conduit 220 is preferably configured to be selectively closed,e.g., with a removable cap 222 (FIG. 5).

Conveyor-Meter Engagement and Disengagement

Turning to FIGS. 6A through 9, as the hopper 110 is rotated forward intothe operating position, the meter 400 preferably releasably engages theseed conveyor 500. It should be appreciated that the position andorientation of the seed conveyor 500 relative to the meter 400 in theoperating position is important in establishing successful communicationof seeds from a seed disc 450 (FIG. 7A) of the meter to the seedconveyor; however, for ease of removal and installation, the meter andthe seed conveyor are preferably engageable and disengageable by simplerotation of the hopper 110. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the meter 400preferably includes a vacuum housing 415 and a seed housing 430including a pocket 432 configured to receive seed from the hopper 110.The vacuum housing 415 preferably includes a guide 424 having a guidesurface 426. The seed housing 430 preferably includes a guide 434 havinga guide surface 436. The seed conveyor 500 preferably includes avertical alignment fin 510. As the hopper 110 is rotated forward intothe operating position, the guide surfaces 426,436 guide the fin 510between the guides 424,434. In the operating position, the guides424,434 constrain the transverse position (the left-right position onthe view of FIG. 8) of the seed conveyor 500 relative to the meter 400as well as the vertical orientation of the seed conveyor (along a planenormal to the page in FIG. 8) such that seeds are effectivelycommunicated from the seed conveyor to the meter.

Comparing FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B and FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B, the meter 400 isillustrated in two positions as the hopper 110 is rotated forward,progressively engaging the meter with the seed conveyor 500. Referringto FIGS. 7A and 7B, the seed conveyor 500 preferably includes aprotrusion 538 at an upper end, and the seed housing 430 of the meter400 preferably includes a corresponding pocket 438 configured to receivethe protrusion 538. As best illustrated in FIG. 4A, in the operatingposition the pocket 438 retains the fore-aft position (the left-rightposition on the view of FIG. 7B) of the seed conveyor 500 relative tothe meter and limits the upward vertical movement of the seed conveyorrelative to the meter.

In order to allow the seed conveyor 500 to be guided into the desiredposition by the meter 400, the seed conveyor is preferably flexiblymounted to the row unit frame 120. In order to maintain the seedconveyor 500 in the desired position relative to the meter 400, the seedconveyor is preferably resiliently mounted and biased toward engagementwith the meter 400. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the seedconveyor 500 is preferably supported by a spring 160. The spring 160 ispreferably pivotally supported by a post 121 within the row unit frame120. Counter-clockwise rotation of the spring 160 (on the view of FIG.10) is preferably limited by contact of a rearward end of the springwith the row unit frame 120. The seed conveyor 500 preferably includes amounting tab 560 which rests in an aperture in the spring 160, fixingthe position and orientation of the seed conveyor relative to theaperture. When the only other force acting on the seed conveyor 500 isgravity (acting vertically on the view of FIG. 10), the spring 160 ispreferably configured to resiliently retain the seed conveyor 500 in anatural position slightly above and slightly forward of the position inwhich the seed conveyor is fully engaged with the meter 400. The spring160 is preferably configured to impose an upward biasing force Fby onthe seed conveyor 500 when the meter 400 imposes a downward force on theseed conveyor. The spring 160 is preferably configured to impose arearward biasing force Fbx on the seed conveyor 500 when the meter 400imposes a forward force on the seed conveyor. Such a forward force isimposed, e.g., by the guide 434 on a surface 514 of the seed conveyoradjacent to the guide fin 510 (FIG. 8). Thus in the operating position,the spring 160 biases the seed conveyor 500 against the meter 400 suchthat the position of the seed conveyor relative to the meter isresiliently maintained. Moreover, as the hopper 110 is rotated rearwardand the seed conveyor 500 returns to its natural position, the meter 400disengages from the seed conveyor without the use of tools.

In the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14-15B, the spring160 is replaced with a spring mount 1400. The spring mount 1400preferably includes a rim 1420 sized to rest on the row unit frame and acenter portion 1410 resiliently displaceable relative to the rim, to adownwardly deflected position such as that illustrated in FIGS. 15A and15B. In the embodiment of FIG. 15A, the center portion 1410 displaceswith respect to the rim 1420 by bending of a joint 1430; the joint 1430preferably biases the center portion toward a position parallel to therim 1420 (illustrated in FIG. 14). In the embodiment of spring mount1400′ of FIG. 15B, the center portion 1410 displaces with respect to therim 1420 by deflection of a coil spring 1440; in this embodiment thecenter portion 1410 is pivotally mounted to the rim 1420 and the coilspring 1440 biases the center portion toward a position parallel to therim 1420 (illustrated in FIG. 14). The center portion 1410 preferablyincludes an opening 1416 sized allow a lower portion of the seedconveyor 500 to pass therethrough. The center portion 1410 preferablyincludes (or has mounted thereto) a downwardly extending hook 1412configured to releasably engage the mounting tab 560 of the seedconveyor 500. In an installation phase, the operator preferably placesthe spring mount 1400 on the row unit frame 120 above an opening formedby sidewalls 123; the operator then preferably slides the lower portionof the seed conveyor 500 downward through the opening 1416 until thehook 1412 engages the mounting tab 560. Thus in operation, the springmount 1400 supports the seed conveyor 500 and biases the seed conveyorvertically upward for resilient engagement with the seed meter.

Seed Tube Embodiments

Turning to FIGS. 12A through 12C, a modified row unit 100′ having a seedtube 800 instead of a seed conveyor is illustrated. The row unit 100′includes a modified hopper 110′ configured to releasably engage acoupler assembly 200′. When a latch 300′ is released, the hopper 110′ isremoved by rearward rotation (counter-clockwise on the perspective ofFIG. 12A) about pivots 124′. The row unit 100′ preferably includes amodified seed meter 400′ mounted to the hopper 110′. The meter 400′ ispreferably in fluid communication with a vacuum source via a modifiedvacuum line 420′ and the coupling assembly 200′. The seed meter 400′preferably includes an adapter funnel 490 configured to engage the seedtube 800 (e.g., enter an upper end of the seed tube 800) as the hopper110′ is rotated into the operating position. The adapter funnel 490 thusestablishes seed communication between the meter 400 and the seed tube800. In the operating position, seeds are delivered from the meter 400′to the seed tube 800 via the adapter funnel 490. The adapter funnel 490is preferably configured to disengage from the seed tube 800 when thehopper 110′ is rotated rearward.

It should be appreciated that in some implementations, the user mayprefer to use the same planter 10 to plant with seed tubes and seedconveyors. For example, the user may prefer to plant certain crops(e.g., corn) with a seed conveyor and other crops (e.g., smaller-seedcrops) with a seed tube. Thus the same hopper 110 is preferablyconfigured to operably support either the meter 400 or the modifiedmeter 400′. Additionally, the same row unit frame 120 is preferablyconfigured to support either the seed conveyor 500 or the seed tube 800.

Alternative Coupler Assembly Embodiments

Turning to FIG. 12, a modified row unit 100″ is schematicallyillustrated having a separable electrical connector 290. The connector290 preferably comprises a plug 292 mounted to the hopper 110 and asocket 294 mounted to a modified coupler assembly 200″. The plug 292 isin electrical communication with a seed sensor 296 disposed to detectpassage of seeds through the seed conveyor 500. The socket 294 ispreferably in electrical communication with a processor 298.

The coupler assembly 200″ preferably includes a modified coupler frame230″ having an opening permitting engagement of the plug 292 and thesocket 294. As the hopper 110 is rotated into the operating position,the plug 292 engages the socket 294 such that the plug is in electricalcommunication with the socket. Thus in the operating position, theprocessor 298 is in electrical communication with the seed sensor 296via the connector 290. When the hopper 110 is rotated rearward forremoval of the hopper, the plug 292 separates from the socket 294. Inother embodiments, the coupler assembly 200″ includes further separableconnectors 290 by which power is supplied to the seed conveyor 500 andthe seed meter 400.

The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principlesand features of the system and methods described herein will be readilyapparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention isnot to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system andmethods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1. An agricultural row unit for depositing seeds into a planting trench,comprising: a row unit frame; a seed hopper pivotally mounted to the rowunit frame, said seed hopper pivotable between a first position and asecond position; a seed meter in seed communication with said seedhopper; and a seed conveyor configured to convey seeds from said seedmeter to the trench, wherein in said first position, said seed meter isin seed communication with said seed conveyor.
 2. A method forconnecting an agricultural row unit to a seed supply, comprising:mounting a seed meter to a pivot point on a row unit frame; rotatingsaid seed meter about said pivot point until said seed meter is in afirst position in which said seed meter is in seed communication with aseed conveyor associated with the row unit; and conveying seeds fromsaid seed meter.
 3. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein insaid second position, said seed meter is disposed to be removed fromsaid seed hopper without contacting said seed conveyor.
 4. Theagricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein in said first position, saidseed conveyor is resiliently engaged with said seed meter.
 5. Theagricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein in said first position, saidseed conveyor is biased into contact with said seed meter.
 6. Theagricultural row unit of claim 1, further including: a loading wheel,wherein said loading wheel urges seeds from said seed meter into saidseed conveyor.
 7. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein saidseed meter includes a meter alignment guide, wherein said seed conveyorincludes a conveyor alignment guide, wherein said meter alignment guideis configured to engage said conveyor alignment guide, wherein saidmeter alignment guide is disposed to engage said conveyor alignmentguide in said first position.
 8. The agricultural row unit of claim 1,further comprising: a spring mounted to said row unit frame, said springresiliently supporting said seed conveyor, wherein said spring biasessaid seed conveyor toward engagement with said seed meter.
 9. Theagricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein in said first position, therow unit is in communication with a seed supply conduit, and wherein insaid second position, the row unit is separated from said seed supplyconduit.
 10. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, wherein in said firstposition, the row unit is in communication with a vacuum supply conduit,and wherein in said second position, the row unit is separated from saidvacuum supply conduit.
 11. The agricultural row unit of claim 10,wherein in said first position, the row unit is in communication with avacuum supply conduit, and wherein in said second position, the row unitis separated from said vacuum supply conduit.
 12. The method of claim 2,further comprising: rotating said seed meter about said pivot pointuntil said seed meter is in a second position in which said seed meteris not in seed communication with said seed conveyor, wherein in saidsecond position, said seed meter is disposed to be removed from the rowunit without contacting said seed conveyor.
 13. The method of claim 2,wherein in said first position, said seed conveyor is resilientlyengaged with said seed meter.
 14. The method of claim 2, wherein in saidfirst position, said seed conveyor is biased into contact with said seedmeter.
 15. The method of claim 2, further including: a loading wheel,wherein said loading wheel urges seeds from said seed meter into saidseed conveyor.
 16. The method of claim 2, wherein said seed meterincludes a meter alignment guide, wherein said seed conveyor includes aconveyor alignment guide, wherein said meter alignment guide isconfigured to engage said conveyor alignment guide, wherein said meteralignment guide is disposed to engage said conveyor alignment guide insaid first position.
 17. The method of claim 2, further comprising: aspring mounted to said row unit frame, said spring resilientlysupporting said seed conveyor, wherein said spring biases said seedconveyor toward engagement with said seed meter.
 18. The method of claim12, wherein in said first position, the row unit is in communicationwith a seed supply conduit, and wherein in said second position, the rowunit is separated from said seed supply conduit.
 19. The method of claim12, wherein in said first position, the row unit is in communicationwith a vacuum supply conduit, and wherein in said second position, therow unit is separated from said vacuum supply conduit.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein in said first position, the row unit is incommunication with a vacuum supply conduit, and wherein in said secondposition, the row unit is separated from said vacuum supply conduit.